BLM issues decisions for project at Blue Creek Bay
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Coeur d’Alene, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Coeur d’Alene Field Office has issued decision records for the Wallace Forest Conservation Area (WFCA) Vegetation Treatments and Trails Project at Blue Creek Bay. One decision addresses forestry and hazardous fuels treatments while the other guides implementation of recreation enhancements at the site. The 751-acre project area is located eight miles east of the City of Coeur d’Alene.
BLM has managed the WFCA and the Blue Creek Bay Recreation Area since 2003, ensuring access for the public to Lake Coeur d’Alene and maintaining the public lands for their recreation, conservation and historical values. The WFCA has been generally maintained in its existing state. Improvements to the recreation area in 2009 through 2012 expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy picnicking, fishing from the fishing dock and accessing the multi-use trail system from the trailhead parking area on the east side of the WFCA.
Implementation of the projects will create additional recreation opportunities for the public and allow the BLM to keep the landscapes healthy and productive.
"These projects balance the demands of the recreating public, create jobs through implementation of the forestry and fuels reduction work and help protect adjacent homeowners from the threat of wildfire,” said BLM’s Coeur d’Alene Field Manager Kurt Pavlat.
Recreation enhancements include creating additional equestrian/hiking trails on the west side of the project area where use is already occurring and creating opportunities for mountain biking/hiking trails in the project area's northwest section. Other enhancements include development of a small, graveled parking area off Bonnell Road, enlarging the existing meadow parking area, creating a kid-friendly mountain bike loop on the east side of the WFCA and installing a stream crossing over Blue Creek that will accommodate hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Through the vegetation treatments decision, hazardous fuels reduction and forest health improvements will occur over 616 acres of the project area. A combination of treatment methods will be used to improve forest health and reduce hazardous fuels including selective harvest and pre-commercial thinning. A fuel break along common boundaries with homeowners and the county road will also be created. Active management will create a healthier, more fire-tolerant forest as well as contribute to the local economy.
The vegetative treatments decision is effective upon issuance under 43 CFR 5003. Specific information regarding the associated 15-day protest period can be found in the decision record. The recreation enhancement decision is being issued under 43 CFR part 4 and is subject to a 30-day appeal period to the Interior Board of Appeals. Information on filing an appeal is contained in the decision record. The decision records, final environmental analysis and finding of no significant impact for the project are available at: http://bit.ly/bluecreekbay
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.